Cost effectiveness of whole breast IMRT for reduction of moist desquamation

Abstract

17004 Background: Cost minimization studies have compared conventional whole breast radiation therapy (C-WBRT) to whole breast intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Consistently, IMRT has proved to be far more expensive. The weakness of cost minimization studies is that they assume the outcomes and toxicities of the treatment modalities in question are identical. Data from a case- control trial and a recent randomized controlled trial show that IMRT reduces the incidence of moist desquamation. We performed an analysis to estimate the cost effectiveness of breast IMRT to prevent moist desquamation. Methods: The direct medical costs of C-WBRT and IMRT were estimated using the 2006 Medicare Fee Schedule. We assumed rates of moist desquamation of 48 to 31% in accordance with Pignol, et al., ASTRO 2006. The cost effectiveness ratio (additional dollars spent per case of desquamation avoided) was calculated under two circumstances: 1) every patient received IMRT, or 2) only those patients destined to desquamate were treated with IMRT. Results: The direct medical costs of C-WBRT are $7,948 vs. $29,790 for IMRT. Thus, the marginal cost of IMRT is $22,142. In circumstance 1, the marginal cost to avoid one case of desquamation is $130,247. In circumstance 2, this cost is $62,518. Conclusions: The two circumstances described above are extremes that bound the range of cost estimates. Patient risk factors for desquamation, such as large breast size, can be used to identify high risk patients, obviating the need to treat all patients with IMRT. However, perfect prospective identification of all patients destined to desquamate is unlikely. Instead, the true marginal cost to avoid one case of moist desquamation will lie between $62,518 and $130,247. This cost may be too high to justify the benefit of reduced acute skin toxicity, but it is likely that the benefits of IMRT have been underestimated. IMRT may shorten the duration of moist desquamation. Late effects such as breast fibrosis and color variegation of the skin caused by desquamation as well as dose to the heart and lungs may be decreased by IMRT. If new data support these benefits, then IMRT may become a more cost effective option. No significant financial relationships to disclose.